People in the South West are most likely to jump queues, a survey on manners has found

PEOPLE in the South West are most likely to jump queues according to research into the nation’s bad manners.

A fifth of Westcountry-folk also admitted to have forgotten to say please and thank you, while a third admit to taking calls from others while out socialising.

But the region does appear to have the most people who cover their mouths when sneezing and coughing and who are prepared to give up their seats for others on public transport, research by Saga has found.

Nationally, the survey has revealed that five to 15 year-olds are the rudest and 45 to 55 year olds the most polite.

Emma Soames, editor-at-large, Saga Magazine, commented: "Despite many of us saying we judge others by their manners it seems that we all need to take a refresher course in acceptable manners.

“It's startling that so many people avoid holding doors open and giving up seats on public transport and don't seem able to detach themselves from their smartphones to give people, even their friends, the courtesy of their undivided attention."

A total of 33 per cent of Westcountry respondents admitted taking phone calls while socialising – the highest in the UK – and a total of 12 per cent admitted to jumping queues.

Nationally, more than half of children say they sneeze and cough without covering their mouth, close to one in five push in front of others in queues, while the same number admit to swearing in front of younger children, adults, the elderly and teachers. One in seven also say they avoid eye contact on public transport so they don’t have to give up their seat.